Isaiah 45:8
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
ye heavens
H8064
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
ye heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 16
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מִמַּ֔עַל
from above
H4605
מִמַּ֔עַל
from above
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
3 of 16
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וּשְׁחָקִ֖ים
and let the skies
H7834
וּשְׁחָקִ֖ים
and let the skies
Strong's:
H7834
Word #:
4 of 16
a powder (as beaten small); by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament
צֶ֑דֶק
righteousness
H6664
צֶ֑דֶק
righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
6 of 16
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
תִּפְתַּח
open
H6605
תִּפְתַּח
open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
7 of 16
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
וְיִפְרוּ
and let them bring forth
H6509
וְיִפְרוּ
and let them bring forth
Strong's:
H6509
Word #:
9 of 16
to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)
וּצְדָקָ֤ה
and let righteousness
H6666
וּצְדָקָ֤ה
and let righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
11 of 16
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
תַצְמִ֙יחַ֙
spring up
H6779
תַצְמִ֙יחַ֙
spring up
Strong's:
H6779
Word #:
12 of 16
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Isaiah 61:11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.Hosea 10:12Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.Psalms 72:6He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.Isaiah 44:3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:Joel 3:18And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.Isaiah 32:15Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.Isaiah 4:2In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:Isaiah 53:2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.Isaiah 60:21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Historical Context
This poetic vision anticipates the new creation where righteousness characterizes all reality. The language echoes creation narratives while pointing to redemption's cosmic scope.
Questions for Reflection
- How is salvation both a gift from above and a response from below?
- What does it mean that God creates righteousness and salvation rather than merely rewarding them?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Heaven is called to 'drop down' (nataph - distill like dew) righteousness, and skies to 'pour down' (nazal - flow like streams). Earth should open and 'bring forth salvation' while 'righteousness spring up together.' This cosmic imagery presents salvation as both heavenly gift and earthly response. The LORD creates it.